The CEO of the company that owns Ladbrokes has called for an end of sports related sponsorship deals.
GVC control Ladbrokes and Coral but are growing concerned about the likelihood of government legislation if the industry doesn’t regulate itself.
Scottish football is particularly vulnerable with the three main competitions sponsored by Ladbrokes, William Hill and Betfred.
Celtic currently have Dafabet as their main shirt sponsor but shouldn’t have too much difficulty finding a deal of similar value if gambling deals are stopped.
It may seem a far fetched idea but a generation ago tobacco companies dominated the sponsorship market with Embassy enjoying blanket coverage of the World Snooker Championship from the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The Scotsman reports:
Company CEO Kenny Alexander said: “Whilst the vast majority of our customers enjoy our products responsibly, it is high time that the industry did more to protect its customers from potential harm.
“As the UK’s largest gambling company, and owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, we at GVC are doing exactly that.
“I call on our industry peers to help us bring about an end to broadcast advertising which promotes sports-betting in the UK no matter the time of day.
“Increasing investment in research, education and treatment ten-fold by 2022, funding treatment centres and using technology to intervene before a problem develops, alongside our existing behavioural analytics, brings to life our commitment to be the most trusted and enjoyable betting operator in the world.
“The industry should and can do more to protect the vulnerable, and today’s announcement demonstrates GVC’s commitment to delivering on that.”
At every level Scottish football is backed by gambling companies. As well as shirt sponsorship deals televised matches carry perimeter advertising for gambling firms with the advertising slots on televised matches heavily populated by advertising for gambling firms.